Happy Little Farmer
Chapter 528

Chapter 528: Chapter 528

In the simple, even rudimentary main house, Uncle Wang handed a cup of clear tea to Yang Fan.

"Fanzi, you are not watching the shop and doing business comfortably, so why suffer in the mountains on such a hot day?" Uncle Wang pulled up a small stool across from Yang Fan and said with a chuckle.

Yang Fan looked at the swirling green leaves in his cup and smiled, "The business hasn’t been great these past few days, and I am not someone who can sit still, so I just came out to wander a bit."

Uncle Wang chuckled, "I can see that in you, boy. You’re like our generation, completely unaware of what it means to enjoy life. But it’s not me lecturing you. Making money is important, but you must also take care of your health."

"I want to earn more while I am young so I can have an easier life later," Yang Fan said. "Those of us in this business aren’t like the others with iron rice bowls. When they get old, the state takes care of them, but we don’t have that."

Uncle Wang nodded deeply in agreement, "Just the two hundred yuan a month from the pension really isn’t enough for anything."

Yang Fan sipped his tea, then changed the subject, "Uncle Wang, are you planning some big project recently?"

Uncle Wang slapped his knee and laughed, "It’s about the sheep—the sheep pen I had before is too small. Now, with so many of them living together, it’s crowded. I’m taking advantage of the quiet days recently to expand their house a bit, make it more comfortable for the little guys."

"That’s not an easy job for one person," Yang Fan casually remarked, looking towards the door.

Wang Zhaodi had arrived.

Her attire was much more innocent today, her face carrying a bashfulness like clouds veiling the moon, as she leaned at the doorstep stealing glances at Yang Fan.

"You came back for the weekend?" Yang Fan asked with a smile.

With a shy smile curling at the corner of her mouth, Wang Zhaodi gave a slight nod.

She quickly glanced at Yang Fan, then suddenly turned and ran off.

This left Yang Fan somewhat bewildered.

She seemed to have changed a lot, but to be shy enough to run away after just one glance?

"This child," Uncle Wang muttered softly, then said to Yang Fan, "Zhaodi’s academics have really improved this semester. Before, she was like a wild child, disappearing as soon as the holidays started. Now, she comes back to help with some work and then goes to her room to study. Suddenly, she seems like a promising student."

As he spoke, Yang Fan could clearly see the relief in Uncle Wang’s eyes.

Although he had many daughters, he didn’t favor one over the others, pouring all his hopes and efforts into his only son—an uncommon sight in these remote mountain villages where it’s rare to see no preference for sons over daughters.

What he didn’t know was that Wang Zhaodi had almost become another top courtesan at the Han Palace.

While Yang Fan had become physically involved with Wang Zhaodi, he felt that she should be thankful to him for that.

If it weren’t for his intervention, Wang Zhaodi’s entire life could practically have been foreseen.

Even if it means nothing to her now, she would certainly realize it later.

Once, Yang Fan had felt a bit burdened mentally, but now he was quite at peace.

What was done was done.

He was not the one who had taken her virginity, nor was he the culprit who made her pay such a physical price so early.

He didn’t need to impose any moral chains on himself.

"She is facing the college entrance exam soon, and her studies should naturally become a priority," Yang Fan said. "Still, she needs to focus on studying. I have always harbored some regrets about this, but my own situation back then didn’t allow me to continue my education either."

Uncle Wang sighed quietly, "If you had the opportunity to study, you would definitely stand out in the future."

Yang Fan replied with a smile, "I have to admit, you really have a keen eye, Uncle Wang. Although I may not be able to excel academically, I’m bound to stand out in this field. Uncle Wang, do you have any top-notch goods hidden away today? Bring them out."

"I’ve always been accurate at judging people!" Uncle Wang laughed.

"There’s nothing great today. I haven’t been to the mountains lately, just tending to my flock of sheep."

"You wouldn’t let me go back empty-handed, would you? Come on, other than Codonopsis and a few such troublesome items, the prices for other herbs have been pretty good lately," said Yang Fan.

"Of course, I would bring something out. How could I let you return empty-handed when you’ve come all this way? Even if there aren’t any herbs, I’d still have to let you take a couple handfuls of tea back home," Uncle Wang chuckled heartily as he led Yang Fan out the door.

Eventually, Yang Fan left with some Du Zhong from Uncle Wang.

He didn’t even catch a glimpse of Wang Zhaodi until he left.

That girl seems to have changed for the better, and it appears she has started avoiding Yang Fan.

Although Yang Fan felt a bit of regret, he wasn’t too disappointed.

For Wang Zhaodi, gaining or losing didn’t seem that important to Yang Fan.

The only regret Yang Fan felt was that he might no longer experience that youthful, excessive tightness.

As the three-wheeler, loaded with goods, just began climbing the slope, he saw a young girl in a floral dress emerging from the bushes. Her short hair and the faint blush on her cheeks fluttered gently in the breeze, endowing the wilderness with a touch of spirit.

"Wang Zhaodi, what are you doing here?" Yang Fan stopped the three-wheeler and asked in surprise.

Wang Zhaodi gathered her hair blown to her lips by the breeze, replied timidly, "I was waiting for Brother Fanzi."

"You say you are avoiding me at home, yet here you are waiting for me," Yang Fan couldn’t help but laugh.

Wang Zhaodi stepped out from between the bushes, "My dad’s at home, how could I dare talk to you much? I’m not avoiding you. I left early so I could wait here for you. If I had followed behind, I couldn’t have caught up with you driving, and that would’ve made my dad suspicious."

"Brother Fanzi, could you park the vehicle somewhere and let’s go talk over there?"

By her actions, Yang Fan knew she wanted something.

"Feeling a little itchy?" Yang Fan teased.

A flush of deep red crawled up Wang Zhaodi’s tender cheeks as she retorted softly, "Brother Fanzi, you’re really bad. Yes, it’s itchy. Do you have time to help scratch it?"

"I might be pressed for time with other things, but for this? I could rise even from a deathbed if needed," Yang Fan said.

Having parked the three-wheeler in a more secluded part of the woods, Yang Fan hopped down from the vehicle and looked around, saying, "This place, where the story began, huh? You didn’t choose it on purpose, did you?"

His relationship with Wang Zhaodi had started right here.

"Of course not. It’s just that beyond the village, this place is comparatively secluded. There’s really nowhere else to go," said Wang Zhaodi.

"Brother Fanzi, did you forget I walked here? Too far and I can’t reach it; too close, and if someone from the village sees, how could I face them again?"

"So, we can’t meet so close by in the future. If you want to relax, come find me in town," Yang Fan said.